Our Board
Apollo Karara grew up in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. When he moved to Maine in 2006 he struggled with the cultural and linguistic difference, and feelings of being less competitive in the labor market.
Through his studies and own experience, Apollo found that English proficiency was key for immigrants to achieve economic self-reliance and to integrate into the larger community in Maine. In 2012, after attaining his Master’s Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, Apollo founded Maine Association for New Americans (MANA) to aid New Mainers to achieve economic self-reliance. Thus, MANA has been an immigrant-led organization from the start.
He is excited to be a part of MANA’s Board and continuing to work with New Mainers.
Apollo is married to a loving wife with whom he has five children and one grandchild.
Find Apollo Karara on LinkedIn.